You are helping Mrs. Lopez with her exercises when she suddenly complains of sharp chest pain and difficulty breathing. She seems anxious and is clutching her chest. This could be a sign of an embolus—a blockage traveling through her blood vessels that requires immediate action from the nursing team.
What is an Embolus?
An embolus (EM-bo-lus) is an obstruction—such as a blood clot, air bubble, or fat globule—that travels through the bloodstream. Unlike a thrombus, which stays in one place, an embolus moves. It is dangerous because it can travel to vital organs like the lungs (causing a pulmonary embolism), brain (causing a stroke), or heart, cutting off essential blood flow.
Why Embolus Matters in Your Daily Care
This is a life-threatening emergency. When an embolus blocks blood flow, it can cause permanent organ damage or death very quickly. As a CNA, you are often the first to see subtle changes in a resident’s condition. Recognizing early warning signs, like swelling in one leg or sudden shortness of breath, and reporting them immediately can save a life.
What You’ll See During Your Shift
You might notice a resident suddenly gasping for air, complaining of sharp chest pain, or becoming confused and pale. Before this happens, you might observe Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) signs in a leg—redness, warmth, or swelling in just one calf. If a resident has been immobile or just had surgery, they are at higher risk.
“Nurse Jessica, I need you right now! Mr. Henderson is suddenly short of breath and says he has sharp pain in his chest. He’s looking really pale and anxious. He was resting in the chair just fine a minute ago.”
Common Pitfall & Pro Tip
⚠️ Pitfall: Ignoring a swollen or red leg because the resident says it doesn’t hurt, or assuming shortness of breath is just “part of getting old.” These are often the first warnings that a clot has formed or is moving.
Pro Tip: Always compare legs during care. If one calf is larger, warmer, or redder than the other, that is a red flag for DVT. Also, ensure residents wear their TED hose or SCDs (sequential compression devices) as ordered, especially after surgery, to keep blood moving.
Memory Aid for Embolus
Think “Traveling Traffic Jam.” The clot is traveling down the highway (blood vessel) and gets stuck at a major intersection (lungs or heart), stopping all traffic (blood flow).
This reminds you that the blockage is moving and causes a sudden stoppage that requires urgent care.
State Test Connection
On the CNA exam, look for questions linking sudden shortness of breath or chest pain to an embolus. You will also be tested on prevention measures like turning residents, applying anti-embolism stockings, and using SCDs.
Related Care Concepts
Understanding an embolus connects to Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), which is often the clot before it moves. It also relates to anti-embolism stockings (TED hose) and sequential compression devices (SCDs), which are tools you use to prevent clots. Furthermore, it connects to range of motion exercises, as keeping residents moving is the best way to prevent clots from forming.
Quick Reference
✓ Key signs: Sudden shortness of breath, sharp chest pain, one leg swollen/red/warm ✓ When to report: Immediately—this is a “call the nurse now” emergency ✓ Care reminders: • Encourage movement and ambulation as allowed • Apply TED hose or SCDs correctly if ordered • Compare legs daily during care • Report any sudden changes in breathing or mental status immediately
Bottom line: You are the eyes and ears on the floor. If you spot a leg that looks different or a resident who suddenly can’t breathe, your quick reporting can stop a traveling blockage from becoming a tragedy.